As soon as Granny Jiang finished speaking, a young eunuch announced the news at the door.
"The Crown Princess has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to the Empress at the head of the table, eager to see her reaction.
pity--
The Empress merely tightened her grip on the handkerchief slightly; otherwise, nothing changed.
Her face showed nothing, only a gentle smile, as if she had no dissatisfaction with the Crown Princess.
The others were somewhat disappointed, having missed out on a good show, but ultimately said nothing.
At the entrance.
A group of women in bright red palace gowns, adorned with gold and silver embellishments, approached against the light, exuding luxury and bearing an extraordinary air that commanded respect.
As she walked slowly, the jade pendants at her waist jingled melodiously, a pleasant sound.
As they drew closer, the light disappeared, and only then could they see her face clearly—
Beneath the woman's arched eyebrows, a pair of phoenix eyes seemed to speak volumes. When she raised her head and looked up, the starlight in her eyes seemed to leap out, captivating the soul and making it impossible for anyone to look away.
What's even more amazing is her snow-white skin, which is covered with some kind of cosmetic, making it so smooth and delicate, like a peeled chicken, with barely visible pores.
She is truly an extremely beautiful person!
However, the concubines were all momentarily dazed, vaguely feeling that the Crown Princess should not look like this and should be quite ordinary.
But--
Their memories clearly told them that the Crown Princess was indeed a radiant and captivating beauty, a woman of unparalleled charm.
Perhaps it hasn't been nourished by rain and dew before, and hasn't fully grown yet?
After much deliberation, the concubines could only convince themselves of this, and then they all stood up and bowed to the Crown Princess.
"This concubine greets the Crown Princess."
In this country, the Crown Princess and the Imperial Noble Consort are of the same rank, both being of the first rank.
Therefore, even the emperor's concubines had to bow and greet the crown princess.
However, the Empress was still the most powerful lady in the harem, and Liu Lingxi slowly bowed down to greet the Empress.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The Empress did not immediately wake her, but instead carefully examined the Crown Princess, whom she had not seen for a long time and who seemed like a completely different person.
She felt a slight jolt in her heart, alarm bells rang in her brain, and she felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy.
Yes, only a princess like this could be the heroine of a storybook, so radiant and captivating.
No, I can't let her take away everything I have now.
The Empress stared intently at Liu Lingxi, her gentle demeanor replaced by a terrifying gaze.
Even Granny Jiang noticed that something was wrong with her mistress.
Her Majesty is always gentle in public; when has she ever shown such emotions? This won't do; what if word gets out...?
Fearing damage to the Empress's reputation, Granny Jiang quickly bowed and reminded her mistress.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? The Crown Princess is here to pay her respects."
"Yes, it's because I didn't rest well last night. Your Highness, you may rise."
Only when the Empress spoke did everyone dare to stand up straight, but they still couldn't even sit down.
After all, if the Crown Princess didn't sit, would they dare to sit?
Fortunately, the Empress did not continue to make things difficult for them, but instead forced a smile.
"Please sit down."
After everyone was seated, some people couldn't contain themselves and started to "question" them.
"Your Highness the Crown Princess forgot to pay your respects to the Empress because Your Highness the Crown Prince got up late."
Consort Liang was well taken care of by the Empress when she was in her residence, and now that she is in the palace, she is even more respectful to the Empress.
She was a very competent pawn in her role.
Ever since he learned of the Empress's intentions, he had been plotting how to reprimand the Crown Princess later.
As soon as Liu Lingxi heard her speak, she knew that the other party had ill intentions.
If one does not answer properly, at best one will be branded as disrespectful to the Empress, and at worst one will anger the Empress and be disliked by the Emperor.
"Your Highness, Consort Liang, you jest. Your son would never dare to disrespect the Empress Dowager, but—"
The time for paying respects has always been Chen Shi (7-9 AM), and I have never dared to be late. But I have remembered it wrong, or did Mother change the time at some point?
As Liu Lingxi spoke, she gave Ye Zhi a look.
Ye Zhi understood and immediately stood up to defend Liu Lingxi.
"Your Highness, you left Chonghua Palace at 5:45 AM and were on the road for no more than 4:50 AM. You arrived at Fengyi Palace at 7:40 AM, before 7:00 AM."
"Hmm, Consort Liang's age might be... I accidentally misremembered it."
Although Liu Lingxi didn't say it directly, everyone knew what she meant.
It's a sarcastic remark implying that Consort Liang is too old and her father is no longer useful.
For a moment, many concubines covered their mouths with handkerchiefs, clearly trying to suppress their laughter.
When has Consort Liang ever been ridiculed like this? Since she joined the Empress's side, she has always been the one mocking others.
Thinking this, Consort Liang looked at the Empress with a wronged expression, only to receive a look of disdain from her, and could only lower her head again.
The Empress was even angrier!
She has to do the useless stuff herself.
She slammed her hand on the table, causing the teacups to clang.
"How dare you, Crown Princess! As a junior, how dare you disrespect your stepmother!"
The Queen is furious!
This was a fact that everyone realized, and they all knelt down, begging the Empress to calm her anger.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Liu Lingxi also knelt down, lowering her head and wondering where the Empress's hostility towards her came from.
Previously, she was not favored by the Crown Prince and was like a nobody in the Empress's eyes, with no one paying any attention to her.
Of course, no one made things difficult for her; it was as if they didn't take her seriously.
Now that she's in the emperor's favor, the empress has started targeting her.
What does this mean?
Just then, as everyone pleaded with the Empress to calm her anger, a message rang out from outside the door—
"The Emperor has arrived! The Crown Prince has arrived!"
?
Why did the Emperor and the Crown Prince come in person?
Everyone was shocked, even the Empress.
"Your Majesty, I wish you good health and pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
"This servant greets Your Majesty and the Crown Prince."
"The Empress was furious today, but you lackeys failed to serve her properly."
The emperor's majestic voice rang out, carrying a strong sense of oppression that instilled fear in everyone.
This was the first time Liu Lingxi had ever met the emperor in her life.
In her previous life, she was not favored by the emperor and rarely showed her face.
Later, the crown prince died tragically, and she became a widow. She was considered an unlucky person and was not favored by the emperor. She never saw him again.
She didn't know if the emperor would continue to ignore her in this lifetime.
While she was lost in her own thoughts, the Empress spoke up.
"Your Majesty need not be angry. It has nothing to do with them. It was the Crown Princess who offended Consort Liang today, and I am unable to calm down."
The Empress did not want the Emperor to see the Crown Princess, but it was clearly too late to stop him now.
Then let's just pin the blame on her and ruin her image in the emperor's eyes.
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